Racking-frame for pool-balls



UNITED STATES JAMES H. ,MCCOOIc OF ELLSWORTH, KANSAS.

RACKING-FRAME FOR POOL-BALLS.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. McCooL, aV

therein, thereafter removed from its hinged support and placed over the table, the means sustaining the balls in the rack being of fabric or mesh material, and susceptible to being withdrawn from below the rack when the latter is arranged on the playing table and supported in elevated condition thereon by the suspending means therefor, and whereby the balls may be racked in an easy and convenient manner without the necessity of separately placing the balls in the frame.

The foregoing, and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and operative arrangement of parts, such as is disclosed by the drawings which accompany and which form part of this application.

Tn the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the improvement.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, parts broken away and parts in section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section of a pool table showing the manner in which the racking frame is detachably but hingedly supported thereon, the dotted lines indicating the position of the frame when the balls from the table are to be received therein.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the frame, the fabric base or bottom being removed.

With my improvement I employ the usual triangular racking frame which is indicated by the numeral 1. This frame, at two oppositely disposed sides has secured thereto the elements which provide means whereby the frame may be hingedly supported from the ball table and also whereby the frame is supported in an elevated position when arranged on the table for the racking of Athe balls.

specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

Application led November 9, 1920.

Serial No. 422,867.

- Each of the elements, broadly indicated by the numeral 2 is preferably constructed of metal which is round in cross section. Each member 2 has its ends 3 connected to the referred to sides of the frame 1, and directed in parallelism from the said sides. The portions 3 have their outer ends provided with angle extensions 4 that project a desired dis tance below the lower portion of the frame. The respective pairs of members 4 arepconneet-ed together, as at 5. Thus the elements 2 are substantially in the nature of bails, the portions 5 being straight, the portions 4 being arranged at right angles with respect to the portions 5, and the connecting portions 3 being arranged at an inward angle with respect to the side members 4 of the bails. One of the portions 5 of each of the bailshaped members 2 is designed to be received in a hook 6 provided in one end of a plate 8 that is secured and projects inwardly from a support 9 that has its upper end secured to the bottom of the table 10. When thus suspended the frame is entirely out of the path of contact of the players of the game,

but the suspending means is such as to permit of the frame being swung to a horizontal position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings so that the playing balls may be received therein. To sustain the playing balls therein, I secured to the back of the frame, which for distinction is indicated by the numeral 11 a fabric mesh 12. The mesh is also secured, as at 13, to the corners of the back, but from all other points is relieved of connection with the frame. The mesh is in the nature of a bag-like mem ber whereby the same may be drawn over the sides 14 on which the'bail members 2 are attached as well as the front 15 of the frame. The front 15 is provided with a hook or clasp 16 to engage with the fabric mesh member 12. Thus the mesh member is secured to the bottom of the frame, and when swung outward, as above set forth, will receive the playing balls therein. The frame is then removed from its hook support 8 and is placed on the bed of the table. The securing means 16 for the mesh is released. The

bottom or foot portions 5 of the bails 2, be- A spect to the spot on which the front object ball is to rest, will cause the fabric mesh to be slid from beneath the frame. In this mannerj all of the playing balls can be conveniently collected in the frame, and the said balls properly racked in an easy and expeditious manner.

My improvement has many advantages over the racking frames of the usual construction. In such racking frames, all of the lower edges of the triangular constructions contact with the cloth on the playing surface of the table, and necessarily wear and inflict injury thereto. llVith my improvement only the lower or foot portions 5 of the members 2 contact with this surface. These members are round in cross section and consequently only a slight frictional engagement is exerted between the same and the table, and while it is believed that the foregoing description when taken in conne@ tion with the drawings will fully set forth the construction and advantages of the improvement to those skilled in the art to which such inventions relate, it is deemed necessary to state that the description and drawings refer to a satisfactory embodiment of the improvement as it noW appears to me and that I am entitled to all such changes vtherefrom as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Having described the invention, I claim In a racking frame for billiard or pool balls, yoke members on the opposed sides thereof constructed of round wire and comprising lower longitudinal members which are disposed below the lower edge of the framej arms on the ends of the said longitudinal members having inturned portions which are connected to the said sides of the frame, a fabric mesh providing a removable bottom for the frame and when in operative position embracing the sides of the frame, and latching mea-ns at the front of the frame for removably locking the fabric thereon.

In testimony whereof I aliX my signature.

JAMES H. MCCOOL. 

